Goldie Hawn is making a significant career shift as she partners with Lin Oliver to launch a new children’s book series focused on promoting kindness. The 79-year-old actress and Oliver, 78, have created The After-School Kindness Crew, a series intended for readers aged 8 to 12. The first book, titled The After-School Kindness Crew #1: Pooch on the Loose, is set for release on May 5, 2026, according to publisher Penguin Workshop.
The series aims to teach children about friendship, community, and the impact of kindness. Each book will encourage young readers to take breaks and practice mindfulness as they read. The story follows three students from Ms. Gold’s fourth-grade classroom—Tony, Mia, and River—as they form the After-School Kindness Crew. Their mission is to spread joy and positivity in their community.
The narrative is filled with lighthearted adventures, including encounters with an escaped snake and a rambunctious dog. As described in the book’s synopsis, “The hijinks and humor continue from start to finish.” A distinctive feature of the series is the inclusion of “brain breaks,” which provide moments for children to pause, breathe, and reflect while engaging with the story.
In a statement to People magazine, Hawn expressed her motivations for creating the series. “I wanted to create these relatable stories to remind children of the power of kindness, while giving them moments of laughter and calm,” she said. Hawn emphasized the importance of the brain breaks woven into the narrative, stating, “What could be better?”
Hawn’s dedication to children’s wellbeing extends beyond her writing. She founded the Goldie Hawn Foundation, which includes the MindUP program. This initiative focuses on enhancing children’s mental health, helping them manage stress and improve their academic performance.
Lin Oliver, who has authored over 65 children’s books, discussed the collaboration and its underlying message. She highlighted the principles of the MindUP program, which promote kindness, self-awareness, and empathy. “It’s been an absolute pleasure to create The After-School Kindness Crew, the story of three outlier kids who form a club that promotes these values,” Oliver stated. She added, “I hope our books provide readers with lots of laughs and fun while modeling what all kids can do to create a kinder, gentler, more compassionate world.”
Oliver is also known for her successful collaborations with actor Henry Winkler on various children’s series, including the Detective Duck series and the Hank Zipzer books.
The launch of The After-School Kindness Crew #1: Pooch on the Loose marks a new chapter in Hawn’s career, reflecting her ongoing commitment to nurturing kindness among the younger generation. The book is now available for preorder at local bookstores, inviting children to embark on an adventurous journey filled with laughter and lessons in empathy.
